Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Ohio to Texas
Ohio has the most complex retirement tax picture of any state in this comparison series — because the state income tax is modest, but Ohio's municipal income tax system adds a layer most retirees underestimate. Ohio's state income tax is progressive from 0 to 3.5%, Social Security is fully exempt, and the first $26,050 of income is completely exempt. On state income tax alone, an Ohio retiree with $100,000 in income pays approximately $2,600. But retirees living in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Dayton also pay a local city income tax — Columbus charges 2.5%, Cleveland 2%, Cincinnati 1.8%, Akron 2.5%. On $100,000 in retirement income, this adds $1,800–$2,500 in city tax. The combined state-plus-city burden at $100,000 is approximately $4,100–$5,100 for urban Ohio retirees. Texas has zero state income tax, zero local income tax (Texas cities cannot levy income tax), and no tax on any retirement income source. Ohio does have a property tax advantage over some markets: the state's average effective property tax rate of approximately 1.4% is lower than Texas's ~1.6%. This partially offsets the income tax difference. For urban Ohio retirees with pension and IRA income, the Ohio-to-Texas retirement move can save $3,000–$5,000 per year once city taxes are factored in. For rural Ohio retirees (no city tax) or those with income near the $26,050 exemption floor, the tax difference is much smaller.
SS Exempt, First $26K Exempt
Progressive 0–3.5%; Social Security exempt; first $26,050 of income exempt; city income taxes add 1–3% in most urban areas
No State Income Tax
Zero state income tax; no tax on pensions, IRA withdrawals, Social Security, or any other retirement income
At $100,000 income:
Texas saves approximately $2,600 in state income tax on $100K retirement income vs Ohio. Urban Ohio retirees also pay city income tax (Columbus 2.5%, Cleveland 2%, Cincinnati 1.8%) — adding $1,500–$2,500/year. Total combined saving in major Ohio cities: $4,100–$5,100/year at $100K. Rural Ohio retirees (no city tax): ~$2,600/year state tax only.
| Income | OH Tax | TX Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 retirement | ~$840 state (+ city tax if urban) | $0 | TX saves ~$840/yr state; ~$1,750 if in Columbus | $8,400–$17,500 |
| $75,000 retirement | ~$1,720 state (+ city tax if urban) | $0 | TX saves ~$1,720/yr state; ~$3,595 if in Columbus | $17,200–$35,950 |
| $100,000 retirement | ~$2,595 state (+ city tax if urban) | $0 | TX saves ~$2,595/yr state; ~$5,095 if in Columbus | $25,950–$50,950 |
| $150,000 retirement | ~$4,345 state (+ city tax if urban) | $0 | TX saves ~$4,345/yr state; ~$8,095 if in Columbus | $43,450–$80,950 |
| $250,000 retirement | ~$7,845 state (+ city tax if urban) | $0 | TX saves ~$7,845/yr state; ~$14,095 if in Columbus | $78,450–$140,950 |
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Ohio's municipal income tax system is one of the most complex in the US — your city's rules can dramatically affect retirement income. A CPA can model your exact state + city tax burden and help you decide if a Texas move makes financial sense. Taxhub specialises in retirement tax planning. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
Get Matched With a Retirement Tax CPA →Ohio allows cities and municipalities to levy local income taxes, and most major Ohio cities do. Columbus charges 2.5%, Cleveland 2%, Cincinnati 1.8%, Akron 2.5%, Toledo 2.5%, Dayton 2.5%. These city taxes apply to retirement income in most municipalities — meaning pension income, traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, and annuity payments are subject to both the Ohio state rate and the local rate. Retirees in rural Ohio or smaller municipalities may pay no city income tax, significantly reducing their overall tax burden. If you're comparing Ohio to Texas for retirement, your specific municipality matters enormously.
No. Ohio fully exempts Social Security benefits from the state income tax. This applies to retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and survivor benefits regardless of total income. Additionally, Ohio exempts the first $26,050 of retirement income from state tax. For retirees whose income is primarily Social Security, Ohio's effective state income tax is very low or zero. However, some Ohio municipalities do tax Social Security — check your specific city's rules, as this varies by location.
Ohio provides a senior and retirement income credit (Senior Lump Sum Credit) along with a retirement income tax credit that effectively exempts approximately the first $26,050 of retirement income from state income tax. This credit applies on top of the Social Security exemption. The result is that an Ohio retiree with $50,000 in non-Social Security retirement income pays state income tax only on approximately $23,950. For modest-income retirees, this exemption substantially reduces the Ohio vs Texas gap. At higher income levels ($100,000+), the exemption's impact is proportionally smaller.
Ohio's average effective property tax rate is approximately 1.4%; Texas's is approximately 1.6%. On a $300,000 home: Ohio property tax ≈ $4,200/year; Texas ≈ $4,800/year — Ohio is about $600/year cheaper. Ohio has a Homestead Exemption for seniors 65+ that reduces assessed value by $25,000 for qualifying homeowners with income under $36,100, lowering the property tax bill further. Texas also has a Homestead Exemption ($100,000 off school district assessed value) and a senior freeze. The property tax comparison modestly favours Ohio.
For urban Ohio retirees, the total annual tax saving by moving to Texas is more significant than the state income tax figures alone suggest. At $100,000 in retirement income: Columbus retirees pay ~$2,595 (state) + ~$2,500 (Columbus 2.5% city tax) = ~$5,095/year. Texas retirees pay $0. The annual saving is approximately $5,095/year. Over a 20-year retirement, that's $101,900 — meaningful for fixed-income retirees. The property tax difference (~$600/year in Ohio's favour) partially offsets this. For higher-income retirees drawing $150,000–$200,000/year, the combined saving approaches $7,000–$9,000/year.
Ohio does not have a specific blanket exemption for military retirement pay. Military pension income is subject to Ohio income tax like other retirement income, though the first $26,050 exemption and the state's progressive rates mean the effective rate is moderate. Some military retirees may qualify for specific deductions — consult the Ohio Department of Taxation or a CPA for your specific situation. Texas, by contrast, taxes no income whatsoever, making it one of the most military-retiree-friendly states in the country.
No. Ohio abolished its state estate tax in 2013. There is no Ohio estate tax or inheritance tax. Both Ohio and Texas follow the federal estate tax threshold ($13.61 million per person in 2024). For estate planning purposes, both states are equivalent — neither imposes additional state-level taxes on inherited wealth.